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Fifth Anniversary of Robert Levinson's Disappearance

March 9 marks the five-year anniversary of the disappearance of U.S. citizen Robert Levinson, a retired FBI agent who disappeared during a business trip to Kish Island, Iran in 2007. In a statement, Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton said:

"Today, we reaffirm our commitment to locating Mr. Levinson and bringing him home safely. This remains a priority for the United States, and we welcome the assistance of our international partners in this investigation. We also call on the Government of Iran to uphold its promise of assistance and help safely return Mr. Levinson to the United States.

"Over the past year, we have had reason to believe that he is being held in southwest Asia, so the FBI is launching a public information campaign in that region and announcing a $1 million reward for information on Mr. Levinson's whereabouts that could lead to his safe return. Anyone who may have information about this case should contact the Federal Bureau of Investigation. The U.S. Government is committed to Mr. Levinson's safe return and we will continue to use all available resources until he is home and reunited with his family."

Comments

Comments

Maureen

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Massachusetts, USA

March 10, 2012

Maureen in Massachusetts writes:

@DipNote Bloggers: It was my sincere hope as a blog participant that you would post this story- Thank You!

Through the use of diplomatic social media we could truly make an impact right here on the blog and help this case move forward. Some participants are quite gregarious and think â€œout of the boxâ€ as a rule. Put your talents to use. Review the videos. Anyone who has friends, relatives, business associates in other countries should make an attempt to get this story out. Bring Mr. Levinson home.

DonaldM

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Virginia, USA

April 6, 2012

Donald M. in Virginia writes:

I think whomever hired Mr. Robert Levinson to provide the work in Iran, must of had something to do with his vanishings. Seems to me that the whole thing sounds like a "Setup" by the company or person or persons who hired Mr. Robert Levinson in the first place. I think the focus of the investigation should be on the group of individuals who hired Bob to do the job then take it from there. I believe we all want to see Mr. Bob Levinson make it home safe and sound to his family.

Maureen

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Massachusetts, USA

April 12, 2012

Maureen in Massachusetts writes:

@Donald in Virginia

Thanks so much Donald for weighing in.

New groups of people taking interest in the case could cause a stir diplomatically and may with great hopes, open some doors...

Imagine that UN envoy Kofi Annan where to bring up the subject with President Ahmadinejad of Iran who has previously spoke to this subject before but with information limited to Mr. Levinson having come and exited Iran. A new approach combined with social media efforts and the targeted information campaign could shed light on why it is that the group does not make contact with the US. Would they be willing to work with another entity or country for the release of Mr. Levinson?

Would Mr. Annan be able to work on this cause with Iran and bordering nations?

What is your take on the remote possibility of a small pirate group holding Mr Levinson? Pirate activity near Kish Island 2007? You wonder if the group is fearful of retribution and therefore not communicating...Some people are under the impression that Mr. Levinson is (was) being held in an Iranian prison. Someone may come forward with the help of regional leaders getting involved.

Maureen

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Massachusetts, USA

March 10, 2013

Maureen in Massachusetts writes:

@ DipNote Bloggers

Today, March 9 marks the 6th anniversary of missing American Robert Levinson. As DipNote has posted this story in the past it is my wish is to keep it alive until Mr. Levinson is released. To all blog participants and diplomats- let the statecraft of diplomacy advocate for the release of this citizen.

Six years missing! Those familiar with the story know that Robert Levinson is a person of courage and unmatched bravery. The Levinson family recently created a petition at whitehouse.gov but not enough signatures for threshold. Mrs. Levinson has reached out to the Iranian Government and the United Nations. Her family has created a website dedicated to the cause of the release of her husband. She is also a person of courage.

Mr. Levinson has given so many years of service to his country. Imagine for a moment that the hope to return to the U.S. and his family is all that he has had for six years. The endurance necessary is most admirable. Dignity. We owe this to him and ourselves because all that we really have is our country. This is about country. For Mr. Levinson perhaps a space tucked deep within his mind as his only â€œplaceâ€ of refuge. His only place of freedom. Imagine the wait and pain. How many DipNote readers have been deprived of country for six years?